Pap Smear

A Pap smear is an important test to detect the earliest signs of cervical cancer. Low Cost Health Clinics offers this easy test to women at the family practice and urgent care offices in Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Corona, Costa Mesa, Cathedral City, and Indio, California. The experienced medical staff speaks Spanish and English and is dedicated to providing the highest quality care at a low cost you can afford. Call the nearest office or book your appointment online today. 

What is the purpose of a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a test that involves collecting a small amount of cells from the opening to your uterus (the cervix). These cells are examined closely under a microscope.

A Pap smear can detect cell changes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Those “precancers” could turn into cervical cancer without appropriate treatment. Fortunately, a Pap smear finds the potential problem early, which allows you to prevent cervical cancer in most cases.

Pap smears are a fast and easy test and are generally not painful. They’re a routine part of most women’s pelvic exams.

Do I need a Pap smear every year?

Pap smear frequency depends on the individual patient. Generally, most women who are sexually active should start having Pap smears at age 21. The frequency of your Pap smears depends on your provider’s recommendations. 

Many women have yearly Pap smears because it’s a helpful way to monitor reproductive health and take proactive steps if you have a positive test result. 

Low Cost Health Clinics offers promotional packages that include yearly Pap smears as well as blood glucose, cholesterol, and other types of health monitoring.

Various promotional packages are available to make Pap smears and other medical care affordable for all people in the communities the clinics serve. 

I had an abnormal Pap smear. What should I do next?

If you have an abnormal Pap smear, Low Cost Health Clinics explains what your results mean in a follow-up appointment. 

Some abnormal Pap smears may simply require monitoring, as most abnormal cells go away on their own. You may need a follow-up Pap smear within the next few months. 

In other cases, you could need a colposcopy — a minor procedure that involves a close-up exam of the cervix along with another sampling of the abnormal cells. 

Fortunately, it’s exceedingly rare for abnormal Pap smears to indicate current cervical cancer. As long as you have Pap smears regularly and follow recommended treatment guidelines, you can stay healthy and protect yourself from cervical cancer. 

Low Cost Health Clinics provides comprehensive medical care for women at seven convenient locations in Southern California. Through budget-minded pricing, the clinics are dedicated to increasing access to Pap smears and other crucial care to historically underserved populations. Book an appointment online, call the nearest office, or walk in anytime.